The morning sun barely broke through the thick mist surrounding the Shadow Hunter outpost. Kaede stood in the training yard, her blade gleaming faintly in the pale light. Across from her, Ryoji watched her every move, his stance rigid and unyielding.
"Again," he commanded.
Kaede tightened her grip and swung her sword, channeling the light within. A wave of energy shot forward, but it dissipated before reaching the target. Frustration twisted her expression.
"Stop forcing it," Ryoji said, lowering his own blade. "The light responds to clarity, not brute strength. You need focus."
Kaede exhaled sharply. "Focus is hard when I keep thinking about them—the demons."
Ryoji's gaze softened. "It's good that you think about them. It's why you're here. But remember, demons are not just mindless monsters. Their power has purpose, and that purpose comes from the Dark Continent."
"The Dark Continent?" Kaede asked, lowering her sword.
Ryoji nodded. "It's their origin—an ancient realm filled with darkness and chaos, far beyond our understanding. Every demon that crosses into our world carries a piece of that darkness."
Kaede's stomach churned at the thought. "Why do they come here? What do they want?"
"Power. Territory. Destruction," Ryoji said. "And something more... The high-grade demons, the strongest among them, are the most dangerous. Not just because of their strength, but because of their bite."
Kaede frowned. "Their bite?"
Ryoji's expression darkened. "If a high-grade demon bites you, it injects its essence into your body. You won't die—but you'll transform. Slowly, painfully, into one of them. There's no cure."
Kaede's grip tightened on her sword. "So the demons we fight… they used to be people?"
"Some of them," Ryoji said grimly. "That's why we fight. Not just to protect the living, but to stop more from being turned."
Before Kaede could respond, the alarm bell rang out, echoing across the outpost. Ryoji's head snapped toward the gates. "Trouble," he muttered. "Get your blade."
---
The Shadow Hunters gathered at the gate as a bloodied scout stumbled into the courtyard. "It's the village near the river," he gasped. "A high-grade demon... it's taken over."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Ryoji stepped forward, his face set in stone. "How many survivors?"
"None," the scout said, his voice breaking. "Everyone's either dead… or worse."
Kaede's heart sank, but determination flared in her chest. "We have to stop it," she said, stepping forward.
"You're not ready," Ryoji said flatly.
"I can't just stand here while more people are turned into demons!" Kaede snapped.
Ryoji's eyes narrowed, but before he could argue, another Shadow Hunter stepped forward. It was Kana, a veteran with short, silver hair and a scar running across her jaw.
"She's right," Kana said. "If we don't act now, the infection will spread. We need every blade we have, even hers."
Ryoji hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. But you stay close to me, Kaede. If you disobey, you won't live to regret it."
Kaede nodded, her grip on her sword firm.
---
The village by the river was a vision of despair. Smoke rose from charred buildings, and the stench of death hung heavy in the air. The Shadow Hunters moved cautiously, their weapons drawn.
Kaede's pulse quickened as she spotted movement in the shadows. A figure stepped into view—a twisted, half-transformed villager. Its eyes glowed red, and black veins pulsed beneath its skin.
"Don't hesitate," Ryoji said, slashing the creature down with a single strike. "They're no longer human."
Kaede swallowed hard and tightened her grip. She knew he was right, but the sight of the corrupted villager haunted her.
The group pressed on, the eerie silence broken only by distant growls. When they reached the village square, the high-grade demon awaited them.
It was enormous, with dark, leathery skin and jagged horns that curled like a crown. Its eyes burned with intelligence and malice. Around it were half a dozen villagers, all partially transformed, their bodies contorting unnaturally.
"You're too late," the demon growled, its voice deep and resonant. "This village belongs to the Dark Continent now."
"Not while we're here," Ryoji said, stepping forward.
The demon smirked, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. "You cannot stop what has already begun. Soon, your world will fall, and the Dark Continent will consume it."
Ryoji raised his blade. "We'll see about that."
As the battle began, Kaede felt the familiar surge of energy in her sword. She stayed close to Ryoji, cutting down the lesser demons that charged at her. But her focus shifted as the high-grade demon turned its attention to Kana, striking her with brutal force.
"Kana!" Kaede shouted, running to her aid.
The demon's eyes locked onto Kaede, and it lunged. She barely dodged its claws, the ground shaking beneath her. As she swung her sword, the light pulsed stronger than ever, forcing the demon back.
"You wield the light, but do you truly understand it?" the demon hissed. "You'll fall like all the others."
Kaede gritted her teeth. "Not today."
With a burst of energy, she charged, her blade glowing brighter than ever.